Often called the Pearl of the Orient, Penang is a surreal island blessed with a verdant landscape, stunning coastline, exotic animals, and cultural diversity. Listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2008, this charming island is one of the top places to visit in Malaysia. This quaint island of Malaysia has a happening and booming nightlife. From colorfully lit-up gardens and delicious street food to enjoying live performances and mysterious hidden bars, there are several activities to do at night that attracts thousands of tourists as part of Malaysia tour packages. Here is a comprehensive list of the top things to do in Penang at night.
Try out Penang Street Food at Gurney Drive
Located in the historical George Town, Gurney Drive is one of the best places to try Malaysian street food and also to experience Penang’s nightlife. Gurney Drive is filled with hawker’s stalls at night, and they sell delicious street foods in town which are all served under colorful tents. There is no better way to experience the flavors of Penang than through these hawker stalls. Popular among tourists as well as locals, some of the popular foods to try here are satay, flat rice noodles, pasembur, pork and ginger chicken, char kway teow, Malay fried rice, lok lok, sotong bakar (grilled squid), and rojak. Besides, visitors can also enjoy a sea breeze and coastal view while eating as one side of the food court faces the sea.
Explore Magical LED Gardens
A visit to magical LED gardens in Penang is one of the best things to do at night. Penang’s Avatar Secret Garden is one of the magical gardens tucked away behind the Thai Pak Koong Temple in Penang. Visitors will be able to stroll among the trees lined with sparkling LED lights drape off branches and wrap around trunks of trees,and be surrounded by blooming flowers and manicured bushes. It is a truly magical sight to behold that makes you feel as if you were in the actual Avatar world of Pandora. It is one of the best places for photographers with plenty of photo opportunities.
Marvel at Penang’s Best City View from KOMTAR Rainbow Skywalk
KOMTAR Skywalk and Observatory Deck is a stunning glass walkway located on the 68th floor of The Top, KOMTAR. It is the highest point in George Town, and the highest outdoor glass skywalk in Malaysia, one of the best affordable destinations for Indians. This open-air Rainbow Skywalk is a semi-circular glass bridge from where one can get seamless views of Georgetown, with its clear glass bottoms and sides. When night falls, it’s going to be a whole new experience altogether as you walk on luminous glass overlooking the colorful and bustling city at night. Besides, it will give you a thrilling experience of walking on air at 816 feet above sea level.
Walk Around Batu Ferringhi Night Market
Malaysia has a vibrant and lively nightlife, especially Penang and is one of the top reasons to visit Malaysia. Batu Ferringhi is one of the popular places to visit in Penang not only known for its beachfront location but also for its vibrant night market. If you are a shopaholic, then it is one of the best places to go at night in Penang. With a stretch of 1 km, Batu Ferringhi Night Market has an expansive array of different stalls, and shops that sell souvenirs, clothing accessories, artworks, bags, shoes, and more. Vendors are pretty open to bargaining and will usually give visitors pretty good deals. If you don’t want to buy anything, you can just stroll through and enjoy the atmosphere of the flea market.
Enjoy Penang’s Live Performances
If you love music and want to witness live performances while in Penang, the city has many venues, and opportunities to catch live music. From the shores of Batu Ferringhi to the very heart of George Town, there are several venues in Penang that offer live music performances that keep you entertained during the night. Generally, they have live music performances every day and ranging from jazz to rock. Hard Rock Café along Jalan Batu Ferringhi is the top choice for music lovers where live local performers rule the roost, but international artists make stage appearances from time to time. Gusto Cafe, Penang House of Music, China House, Soundmaker Studio, Mike’s Place, etc., are some other popular places to enjoy live performances at night in Penang.
Admire Georgetown from Penang Hill
Situated at an elevation of 833 m, Penang Hill is a pleasant respite from the rest of the island’s tropical and hot weather. Located in the Air Itam suburb, Penang Hill is known for its pleasant weather, lush green vegetation, breathtaking views, colonial vibe, and forestry landscape. Comprising 6 peaks, Penang Hill makes the best spot for great and scenic adventures. If you would like to enjoy a clear view of the starry sky, then the Sky Walk at PenangHill is the best place. One will also get panoramic views of Georgetown as well. The hill can be reached by a tram that has been operated by the Penang Hill Railway and is one of the oldest funicular trains in the world. Apart from that, the other things to do in Penang would be going for a hike on the nature trails of the hill.
Indulge in an Atmospheric Dinner at Tapak Dataran Pantai Queensbay
A great night is not complete without having a wholesome dinner once the shopping is done at the Queensbay Mall. Then, head over to the Tapak Dataran Pantai Queensbay which is an outdoor eatery located right next to the mall. Dotted with dozens of stalls, the place offers the best street food in Penang. Also, you can enjoy the sea breeze and occasionally listen to their entertaining buskers.
Be Amazed by the Colorful Lights at Kek Lok Si Temple
The Kek Lok Si Temple, also known as the Temple of Supreme Bliss, is one of the popular places to visit in Penang. Spreads over an area of 10 acres, the main highlight of the temple is the Pagoda of Rama VI. Here, one can spot over 10,000 Buddha statues made from alabaster and bronze along with a 99-foot-tall bronze statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. The sculptures serve as a symbol of harmony between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. The other highlights include the gardens, turtle and fish ponds, and the sky lift, which will take you to the highest part of Kek Lok Si. The best time to visit this temple is during the Chinese New Year as the temple will be open till night and the temple complex is fully decorated with lights, providing you with plenty of opportunities for postcard-perfect pictures.
Party at Penang Beach Bars
Partying at one of Penang’s Beach Bars is among the best things to do at night. With a lively atmosphere, the myriad of beach bars and clubs are great for ending the day by watching the sunset, listening to the sea waves, and enjoying some drinks. Penang’s beach bar scene is fairly comprehensive which ranges from simple shacks to themed bars set on the sand. George Town and Batu Ferringhi are some of the favorite spots to enjoy the perfect beachside resto-bar to wine and dine. These beach bars often have DJs spinning remixed tunes from the 1980s to the latest chart hits.
Dance the night away at Soju Room
Soju Room is a dance and music club event space located in Penang Times Square. Formerly known as Soju Club, this club features with neon lights, comfy sofas, a wide dance floor, and a modern futuristic circular stage. There will be DJ’s who will make you dance with their mix of electro, house, and hip-hop songs. Also, the club contains a huge bar that offers imported beers and alcoholic beverages to drink. It is one of the perfect places for partying at night in Penang that attracts large number of crowds during weekends as part of Penang Tour.